Kings Norton 27 - Droitwich 26

Saturday 22nd March 2008

Droitwich lost a close game on Saturday, so much so that at full time the scores sat at 21 all, and extra time was needed. With the icy, gale force wind blowing straight down the pitch this was always going to be a game of two halves, but Droitwich chose to field a much weakened side, and as a consequence failed to get the better of a spirited Kings Norton side.

With the advantage of the strong wind in the first period Droitwich really didn’t seem to know what their tactics were and often simply kicked the ball dead. Outside half Craig Burgess did try and get some direction into the game, but the backline was often too flat to be effective. The forwards drove the ball well, and this set up the first try as prop James Shewell dived over. Two penalties by Sean Walker extended the lead, before another driving maul, with Jon Andrews to the fore, saw Matt Jupp go over. With time running out on the half a good run by Simon Pearce saw James Protherough dive over.

A twenty one nil lead at the break should have been enough for the visitors to defend, although keeping the home side out for as long as possible should have been the order of the day. Instead Droitwich chose to gift Kings Norton a try as well as a penalty kick to reduce the arrears.

The home side now really had their tails up and Droitwich were forced to defend for all their worth, and it was only good defensive tackling by Nick Godfrey and Mark Strutt that kept Droitwich in the game.

Droitwich did have some periods of possession but too often it was needlessly given away for Kings Norton to kick the ball the length of the pitch. Another try by the home side bought them within touching distance, then with time rapidly running out they scored again to send the game into extra time.

Playing with the elements in the first period the home side dropped a goal, before a needless late tackle gave them a simple penalty attempt to turn around six points to the good.

Droitwich threw everything they had at the defence, with Harry Riley making good ground for the ever alert Steve Poke to dive over. This brought the Spa side within a point, but they could not add to their tally.

This sees Droitwich’s cup campaign come to an end, but they only have themselves to blame. It is too much to ask players to perform in a side that was, literally, thrown together at the eleventh hour.

A disappointed Jon Andrews added after the game “Its frustrating to lose such a close game, but to be honest we didn’t play with enough intelligence today, both in attack or defence.”

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